Bioferments, Biostimulants & Biofertilizers · 2019. 6. 2. · Bioferments, Biostimulants &...

Bioferments Fact Sheet v2 2018 Soil Land Food & ROTS Creative Commons 3.0 1

Bioferments, Biostimulants & Biofertilizers

Making them on the farm

Gerry Gillespie – 61 407 956 458 – [email protected] David Hardwick – 61 409 646 565 – [email protected]

There are a number of simple biotechnologies that can be made on the farm to help improve soil condition, stimulate plant growth and improve plant health. These include bioferments,

biostimulants, biofertilizers and compost inoculants. This booklet outlines some basic recipes for making these on-farm.

Bioferments, Biostimulants & Biofertilizers Making them on the farm


Understanding the different biological technologies The main types of agricultural biotechnologies are:

• Aerobic: these are made in high oxygen environments where microbes adapted to oxygen are cultured. The best-known examples are aerated compost and compost tea.

• Fermentation: these are made in conditions of low/no oxygen levels. Effective Microorganisms (EM)

and Biofertilizers are some examples.

• Vermi-products: these are based on the products of worms as they transform organic materials into stable products. Worm leachate and worm castings are two examples.

What are bioferments, biostimulants & biofertilizers There are a wide range of bacteria, yeasts and related organisms that do not use oxygen to breathe. They are known as anaerobic microbes. They live by a process called fermentation. Other microbes can live with either oxygen or no oxygen. These are called facultative microbes. Some microbes also only live in low levels of oxygen. Fermenting microbes live without oxygen but like all other organisms they need energy and nutrients to survive. Fermentation is where these microbes are cultured in no oxygen conditions. A home brew is an example of fermentation! During fermentation these microbes create a number of compounds known as fermentation products. Most of these products are beneficial and include vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and organic acids. Some fermentation products however like gases and alcohols can be toxic to plants at certain concentrations. The aim when making fermentation-based bioferments, biostimulants and biofertilizers is to ensure a balanced complete fermentation process that results in a range of beneficial stable compounds and microbes. Bioferments should contain plant growth factors and sometimes microbes and they can provide a number of beneficial functions to soils and plants including:

• Improving the cycling of nutrients • Chelating nutrients • Stimulating root growth • Reducing plant stress • Increasing plant health

When culturing microbes it is important to remember that they all need:

1. Energy – they get this from carbohydrates like sugars 2. Nutrients – they need a full range of elements and trace elements 3. Ideal oxygen levels – either no oxygen, low oxygen or high oxygen levels 4. Water – they need clean water 5. Ideal ambient temperatures – not too hot and not too cold.

Always use non-chlorinated water Always use clean equipment Always seal your fermentations properly.



Recipe 1 – LAB Serum (also known Lacto!) This is a base inoculant that is based mainly on a well-known group of fermenting bacteria called Lactobacillus. It can be used directly on soils and plants or further fermented with other ingredients to make a wide range of products including the Static Pile Inoculated Compost Extension (SPICE) compost inoculant. It makes a product which is similar in some ways to Effective Micro-organisms (EM). Ingredients & Equipment Clean water non-chlorinated Milk/Milk Powder – must have lactose Rice – any type Containers - clean Molasses 50-Gal Barrel / 260 Gal IBC with lid

Process Step 1: Capture inoculant by putting rice into a large open-mouthed container with clean water. Leave for 3-5 days in dark place with a loose-fitting lid. The liquid should change and after this time it should smell slightly sour and may have a slightly milky color in it. Decant the water off and keep it. Throw away the rice. This liquid is a Lacto Culture mainly of Lactobacillus species. Step 2: Feed inoculant by adding the liquid Lacto culture to the milk in a large container with a wide mouth. Cover with loose fitting lid and store for a few days until it curdles, and milk solids separate. Remove the solids. Keep the creamy- yellow whey. This is also known as the Base Serum. Step 3: Stabilise the product by adding equal parts water to this liquid. Add about ¼ quart of molasses for every quart of water you add. This is your stable LAB Serum product. Step 4: Store the product in a cool place with the lid tightly on. It should remain stable for a number of years. It should be light to mid brown color with a slightly sweet-sour smell. Some light brown yeasts may colonise the surface. This is OK. The pH should be around 4. Batch Recipes

Step 2 Gal 20 Gals 250 Gal 1

Rice 8 ozs Rice 5 lbs Rice 62.5 lbs

Water 1 Quart Water 2.5 Gal Water 31.25 Gal 2

Milk 2 Quarts Milk 5 Gal Milk 62.5 Gal Lacto Culture 1 Quart Lacto Culture 2.5 Gal Lacto Culture 31.25 Gal

3

Whey Approx. 3 Quarts Whey Approx. 7.5 Gal Whey Approx. 93.5 Gal Water Approx. 3 Quarts Water Approx. 7.5 Gal Water Approx. 93.5 Gal

Molasses 1 Pint Molasses 1.25 Gal Molasses 15 Gal Store in a sealed container, in the shade if possible. It should last at least 2 years.



Recipe 2 – SPICE Compost Inoculant The SPICE Compost Inoculant is a biological product that contains micro-organisms that help to decompose and compost organic materials under low oxygen conditions. It can be made and stored easily on the farm. This inoculant is applied to the feedstock material as you are setting up a no-turn compost pile. The compost inoculant is partly a fermentation-based product. This means the micro-organisms in them can live in low/no levels of oxygen. These are the conditions that exist in the SPICE Compost system where a cover is used to control the level of air and the pile is not turned. The aim of using the inoculant is to help control the process of composting in the pile and ensure that the right community of micro-organisms are doing the composting process. See the SPICE Compost Fact Sheet for more info. Ingredients & Equipment Clean water - non-chlorinated Seawater – or equivalent Lab Serum – Recipe 1 Measuring jugs / Buckets Molasses Wheelie Bin / 250 Gal IBC - with lid Blood & Bone Meal Hessian sack & string – coffee or potato sack Bran – rice or any cereal Basalt powder - optional Fresh green leafy plant material Seaweed liquid or meal - optional

Process Step 1: Fill bin or IBC with half the water Step 2: Prepare Hessian “teabag” sack - by placing fresh green leafy plant material (grass, weeds, herbs, fresh seaweed etc.), blood and bone meal and bran into the sack and closing it with string. You can add basalt rock dust or seaweed meal if available. Place the ‘teabag’ sack into the Bin/IBC and secure to the side so you can readily access it. Step 3: Add energy/nutrients to water - mix molasses, seawater and Lab Serum (Recipe 1) to the Bin/IBC. You can also add seaweed liquid instead of meal if available. Now add the balance of water to the Bin/IBC. If you do not have access to seawater you can make it by adding 1 cup of sea salt to 7 Quarts of clean water. If you need a larger quantity then just multiple this recipe, keeping the ratio the same. Step 4: Activate the mixture. Close the lid loosely on the Bin/IBC and leave the mixture to activate for 5 days. Every day open the lid to check on the mixture and jiggle the ‘teabag’ sack at least once a day every day for the 5 days. After 5 days remove Hessian tea bag and discard the contents of the tea bag. Keep the liquid in the barrel. This is the SPICE Compost Inoculant and is now ready for use. Step 5: Store the product in a shaded cool place with the lid loosely on. Do not be concerned if a gray mix (yeasts) forms on top of the mixture after a few weeks. The product should be used within 1 – 3 months.



Batch Recipes

Step Wheeled Kart 60 Gal 260 Gal IBC 1 Water

100 Q Water

500 Q

2

Green leafy stuff 15 – 20 Q Green leafy stuff 100 Q

Blood & Bone 6 pounds Blood & Bone 30 pounds

Bran 6 pounds Bran 30 pounds

Basalt Dust* 2 pounds Basalt Dust* 10 pounds

Seaweed Meal* 2 pounds Seaweed Meal* 10 pounds

3

Molasses 3 Q Molasses 15 Q Seawater 7 Q Seawater 35 Q

Lab Serum/EM 7- 10 Q Lab Serum/EM 50 Q

Water 60 -70 Q Water 300 Q * Optional if available

When applying as a compost inoculant apply at 1 pint per 5 cubic yards of compostable material. See the SPICE Compost Fact Sheet for more info.



Recipe 3 – Hydrolysate A hydrolysate is a bioferment made with high protein material such as animal carcasses or vegetable scraps. These are macerated (smashed up) and then fermented with Lab Serum, water and a sugar source. The result is a bioferment with both fertiliser value and a range of biostimulants. There has been a lot of research showing that the compounds in hydrolysates, including amino acids and organic acids, are very beneficial to plant growth. Ingredients & Equipment Clean water - non-chlorinated High Protein biomass – animals or vegetables macerated Lab Serum – Recipe 1 Measuring jugs / Buckets Molasses 50-Gal Barrel / 260 Gal IBC - with fermentation lock

Process Step 1: Macerate High Protein Biomass – using a macerator, insinkerator or smash with a spade. You may need to add a small quantity of water to macerate. Step 2: Fill Barrel or IBC with the biomass Step 3: Add water – carefully add the water to the Barrel/IBC. Step 4: Add Lab Serum and Molasses – Mix these 2 thoroughly through Step 5: Ferment – make sure the product is in a reasonably warm place and will not be disturbed. Leave 3 – 6 inches space between the top of the liquid and the lid for gases. Seal the fermentation lock. Ferment for at least 6 - 8 weeks. When fermenting is finished the product should have a mild smell and should have a pH of around 4. It should be a mid-brown to dark brown color. A product with black and/or purple/green colors with a strong smell has putrefied. This is not to be used. Step 6: Store the product - in a shaded cool place with the lid sealed. The product should last 12 months or more if properly stored. Check the pH, color and odor before use if stored for a long time. Batch Recipes

Step 50-Gal Barrel 260 Gal IBC 2 High Protein

Biomass 80 Q*

High Protein

Biomass 400 Q*

3

Water 80 Q Water 400 Q

4

Lab Serum 16 Q Lab Serum 80 Q Molasses 11 Q Molasses 55 Q



* Recipe is done by volume not by weight. This product needs to be filtered before use. It can be applied as a foliar or soil application. 5 – 10 pints per acre diluted in water at least 1:10 is a general rule. For foliar applications, early in the morning or late afternoon is best. Recipe 4 – Biofertilizers A biofertilizer is a bioferment that can be made with a variety of ingredients and usually aims to provide bioactivated nutrients to soils and plants. Depending on the ingredients used the product will have both fertilizer and biostimulant value. There are many recipes available on the internet. Below is just a simple one. Feel free to experiment. Add seaweed, humates etc. if required. It is important to remember that any recipe needs to have the right balance of: an energy source, nutrients, water and an inoculant. You can custom blend biofertilizers by adding in trace elements during the fermentation process. Ingredients & Equipment Clean water - non-chlorinated Fresh Cow Manure / Lab Serum / EM - inoculant Molasses Yeast Milk/Whey Wood ashes Basalt Dust Measuring jugs / Buckets Seaweed meal/liquid* 50-Gal Barrel / 260 Gal IBC Rock Phosphate powder* Fermentation Lock

* optional Process Step 1: Add manure to Barrel or IBC – use fresh, clean manure. If you do not have enough manure or do not want to use it then use some LAB Serum instead. Step 2: Add dry ingredients – add in basalt powder, wood ashes, and yeast and mix in to manure. You can add seaweed meal and rock phosphate powder at this stage if you want. Step 3: Add water – carefully add 90 % of the water to the Barrel/IBC. Step 4: Add Molasses/Milk mix – Mix milk and molasses with about 10 % of total water volume and then add this to the ferment. You can use whey instead of milk. You can add liquid seaweed now if you want. Step 5: Mix well – carefully mix everything together. Step 6: Ferment – make sure the product is in a warm place and will not be disturbed. Leave at least 5 – 10-inch space between the top of the liquid and the lid for gases. Seal the fermentation lock. Ferment for at least 8 weeks. When fermenting is finished the product should have a mild smell. It should be a mid-brown to



dark brown color. A product with black and/or purple/green colors with a strong smell has putrefied. This is not to be used. Step 6: Store the product - in a shaded cool place with the lid sealed. The product should last 12 months or more if properly stored. Check the pH, color and odor before use if stored for a long time. Batch Recipes

Step 50-Gal Barrel 260 Gal IBC 1 Cow manure^ 8 Gal Cow manure^ 40 Gal 2

Basalt powder# 3 pounds Basalt powder 15 pounds Wood ashes 5 pounds Wood ashes 25 pounds

Yeast* 10 ounces Yeast* 3 pounds Seaweed meal* 2 pounds Seaweed meal* 10 pounds

Phosphate powder* 2 pounds Phosphate powder* 10 pounds 3 Water 37 Gal Water 190 Gal 4

Molasses 2 quarts Molasses 10 quarts Milk/Whey 2 quarts Milk/Whey 10 quarts

Water 10 quarts Water 13 Gal

^ You can use half cow manure and half LAB Serum instead. You can also make on 100% LAB Serum. # If you can’t get basalt powder then you can use seaweed meal and wood ashes instead. * Optional This product needs to be filtered before use. It can be applied as a foliar or soil application. 5 – 10 pints per acre is a general rule. Dilution rates are 1: 10 to 1: 200. For sensitive crops use more water. For foliar applications, apply early in the morning or late afternoon. Custom Blending You can customise the biofertilizer recipe as long as you keep the general ratios of energy, water, nutrients and inoculant. Specific Nutrients and Trace Elements can be added to make a custom blend. A general procedure for a Trace elements blend is: Step 1: Make basic biofertilizer recipe Step 2: Leave it for 5 days Step 3: Add Minerals, Inoculant & Molasses – after 5 days add in custom minerals*, 1 - 2 quarts milk/whey/LAB Serum, and 1 – 2 quarts of molasses. You may have to dissolve some trace elements in a small amount of water before adding. Reseal the ferment. * see table over page for mineral quantities. Step 4: Complete fermentation– allow the fermentation to finish



Mineral Quantities for Biofertilizer Custom Blends

50-Gal Barrel 260 Gal IBC Magnesium Sulphate 3 pounds Magnesium Sulphate 15 pounds Calcium Carbonate 3 pounds Calcium Carbonate 15 pounds Calcium Chloride 2 pounds Calcium Chloride 10 pounds

Potassium Sulphate 3 pounds Potassium Sulphate 15 pounds Potassium Silicate 3 pounds Potassium Silicate 15 pounds Rock Phosphate 3 pounds Rock Phosphate 15 pounds Borax (Boron) 2 pounds Borax (Boron) 10 pounds Zinc Sulphate 2 pounds Zinc Sulphate 10 pounds

Manganese Sulphate 9 ounces Manganese Sulphate 3 pounds Sodium Molybdate

(Molybdenum) 5 ounces Sodium Molybdate

(Molybdenum) 25 ounces

Iron Sulphate 10 ounces Iron Sulphate 3 pounds Cobalt Chloride 1 ounce Cobalt Chloride 5 ounces

* Use soluble minerals where possible. Dissolve in a small quantity of warm water before mixing if possible. Alternatively use very fine grades of minerals like super fine. * Take care when applying trace elements to crops and pastures. Excessive trace element applications can lead to toxicity. Monitor crops using soil tests, tissue tests or visual assessment to determine trace element needs. * These quantities are a guide only. When using bioferments and custom mineral biofertilizers it is important to apply the product using soil tests, tissue tests and/or by assessing visual performance of the soil/crop/pastures. References Kalema & Chacon; 2010; Organic fertilisers and bio-ferments; a practical manual for smallholder farmers; Louis Balk Institute Journey to Forever Project - www.journeytoforever.org/farm_library.html Jadam Farming - www.en.jadam.kr/ Various YouTube Channels - Type Korean natural farming or biofertilizers into YouTube.

Bioferments, Biostimulants & Biofertilizers · 2019. 6. 2. · Bioferments, Biostimulants &...

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